Green waves of chakra erupted from Rock Lee's body, surging like a volcanic eruption.
The terrifying fluctuations warped the surrounding air. The ground split with a thunderous crash, spiderweb cracks racing outward as shattered stones flew, as though the entire arena were struggling beneath his savage power.
At that moment, Rock Lee's presence had already far surpassed that of an ordinary Jonin.
The sense of a life burning away caught the watching ninja's breath, making them unconsciously hold it.
-This was the pinnacle of Taijutsu.
"The Eight Gates of Death... that really is Lee's signature."
"That kid's using this move again?"
In the stands, many ninja began talking, their interest piqued.
Veins bulged on Rock Lee's forehead. Green waves enveloped him, making him look like a living meteor.
"Here I come!!"
His roar shook the air until it burst with a thunderous crack.
The instant his words fell-
"Whoosh!!"
Rock Lee vanished from where he stood, moving too fast for the naked eye to follow.
The air was forcibly torn apart, unleashing savage shock waves. Yellow sand billowed from the ground, as though a storm were ravaging the earth.
And yet-
Faced with this astonishing surprise attack, Neji remained utterly calm.
He stood in place, his Byakugan activating abruptly as his field of vision expanded in an instant.
Under the Byakugan's scrutiny, the chakra flowing through Rock Lee's body was perfectly clear. Every pathway, every minute change in its speed was laid bare.
No matter how fast he moved, to Neji, it was merely a magnified trajectory.
"Hah..."
Neji slowly exhaled, his fingers lightly forming hand seals. His hands circled and flowed, his movements seamless and natural, like the Tai Chi that had always existed between heaven and earth.
[Eight Trigrams: Tai Chi Entangling Hands!!]
At that moment, his